EIGHTEEN extra officers will take to York's streets as city police prepare to crack down on neighbourhood louts.

The officers, all seasoned policemen and women with experience serving in other forces, are expected to take up their posts during the summer.

The announcement will be made tonight when Superintendent Gary Barnett addresses the city's community and police group meeting where he will summarise York police's achievements and failures in the past year and set out ambitious targets for the year ahead.

Nuisance youths and so-called "neighbours from hell" will be among York police's priorities for the year ahead, the city's top officer will say.

He will say that vehicle crime, house burglaries, violent crime and drug dealers will be other priorities for officers throughout the year.

There will be particular emphasis on pursuing peddlers of hard drugs such as cocaine and heroin.

People who make their neighbours' lives intolerable will receive a stark warning that their actions will not be accepted.

York has led the way nationally in tackling nuisance youths and city magistrates have so far imposed four out of about 30 anti-social behaviour orders (ASBOs) in the country.

Supt Barnett told the Evening Press: "Anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated in York, and we will use ASBOs and enforce tenancy regulations to keep the pressure up on these people."

A post of rural development officer will be created to deal with crimes against wildlife and the environment. There has been a rise in badger baiting and offences against birds in recent years.

Supt Barnett said he and his officers hoped to build on recent achievements.

"We have had considerable success over the last five years and will be putting forward an ambitious programme of activities for next year," he said.

"We hope to show the benefits of the changes we have been through by achieving more in the future."

Also at tonight's meeting, which starts at 7pm at the Novotel on Fishergate, York police's drug expert Detective Constable Paul Johnson will give a presentation on the truth of the drug scene in the city.

And residents will have the opportunity to meet their local area commanders.